Bill Condon on the Resurgence of Musicals: Audiences Love Them, But Don’t Think They’re ‘Cool’
NEW YORK – Director Bill Condon believes audiences harbor a secret affection for musicals, despite a perceived lack of ”coolness” that historically hinders their success. Condon shared these insights at the premiere of Kiss of the Spider Woman on October 6 in New York, reflecting on the genre’s cyclical rise and fall in popularity.
Condon noted a decline in musicals through the 1970s and 80s, leading to a generational gap in familiarity with the form. He attributes the early 2000s revival to films like Moulin Rouge and Chicago, which “created this amazing fantasy world.” This paved the way for a decade of musicals including Dreamgirls,Hairspray,and Les Miserables,gradually re-acclimating audiences. “My theory is that people really like it, but don’t think it’s a thing. cool and they get nervous, so you have to make them feel comfortable,” Condon explained.
The director also expressed concern that the rise of streaming platforms and pandemic-era viewing habits have created challenges for large-scale musical productions. He believes the lack of a shared communal experience impacts a musical’s potential. Kiss of the Spider Woman was intentionally produced independently, with a modest budget, as “this story told correctly was never going to please anyone.” Condon hopes the film’s success will demonstrate the continued viability of musicals outside the realm of blockbuster expectations, adding, “I like that we are somewhere between commercial and self-reliant, and I hope that enough viewers see it so that the investment is recovered.” Jennifer Lopez stars in the film.